PREVIEW: Delhi Daredevils Face Sunrisers Hyderabad

Delhi Daredevils face a tricky opponent in Sunrisers Hyderabad in their IPL clash on Friday.

NEW DELHI: Time is running out for Delhi Daredevils. Having lost their first three matches in this year's league, and looking ragged and somewhat pedestrian, the team which dominated the league phases just a year back needs to win its home contest against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Friday. Else, Delhi can very well say goodbye to their title aspirations

The signs were there from the first match itself against the Kolkata Knight Riders but a win over Rajasthan Royals at home would have at least hidden the deficiencies.

Alas, the Daredevils self-destructed in their first match at home. Then, Mahela Jayawardene's men were completely exposed by Mumbai with Dinesh Karthik and Rohit Sharma toying with their pace attack.

The problems are apparent in all departments of the game. Batting has lacked firepower due to the absence of Kevin Pietersen, Virender Sehwag and Jesse Ryder. Sehwag, though, is expected to make a return against the Sunrisers but how he shapes up will be a lottery for the team.

Sehwag hasn't played a competitive match in over a month and only began training seriously a couple of days back. The 'Najafgarh Bradman' had a lengthy stint in the nets at the Kotla on the eve of the clash.

"Viru is improving everyday. But the team will take a final call on him on Friday. It is important that he rests and recovers well," paceman Morne Morkel said on Thursday.

Opener David Warner has been carrying the fight on his own with 157 runs so far and back-to-back fifties. Sehwag's return will give Warner and skipper Jayawardene more freedom to express themselves freely.

Their opponents are not the strongest side in the tournament but do boast of a fine opening attack, led by Dale Steyn who is partnered by Ishant Sharma.

The batting is being held together by the pair of Cameron White and Thisara Perera, both of whom can clear the boundaries with ease.

Jayawardene will hope that bowling spearhead Morkel can hit the straps quickly after a lacklustre opening outing in Mumbai. Umesh Yadav and Irfan Pathan are slowly finding their rhythm but Ashish Nehra has proved to be easy fodder for the batsmen so far.

The Daredevils are in desperate need of a lifeline. From where it will come is anybody's guess. Maybe, from Sehwag's bat.

Delhi Daredevils

Captain: Mahela JayawardeneCoach: Eric Simmons

Recent Form: They desperately need a win to infuse life into their campaign. They have gone down thrice already and any slip ups from here on will be disastrous.

Key Players: Sure, three defeats can prove to be a dampener. But Delhi have the resources to counter this crisis. One power-packed display from any of their batsmen can prove to be decisive. Virender Sehwag, Jayawardene, Warner are all capable of winning matches on their own.

Weak Link: The foreign recruits have been a big letdown. They haven't performed to the best of their abilities. That's one big reason why Delhi have struggled in the tournament so far. Time for the big guns to earn their dollars.

X-Factor: Out of favour with the Indian team and injured in the first three games, Sehwag has returned to full fitness for the match against Sunrisers. With David Warner, he forms an explosive combination. With the burden of captaincy off, Viru could be even more dangerous.

Sunrisers Hyderabad

Captain: Kumar SangakkaraCoach: Tom Moody

Recent Form: Truly a disciplined unit with an array of gritty players who have delivered in crunch situations.

Key Players: Hyderabad's biggest strength is their bowling. Spearheaded by South African Dale Steyn, Hyderabad have an attack that has good variety. Ishant Sharma, Thisara Perera, Hanuma Vihari and Amit Mishra have all contributed handsomely.Weak Link: The openers. Parthiv Patel and Akshat Reddy are good players, but don't do enough in the powerplay overs. they need to shed the conservative approach.

X-Factor: Hyderabad have already punched above their weight. The Sangakkara-led team by no means can boast about its stars. For, there aren't many. But the local lads have really impressed. Their contribution is a prime reason why Hyderabad have managed to beat Pune and Bangalore and stamped their authority in this tournament.